If you are planning a summer voyage on board one of our Nanaimo yacht charters, you are sure to want to check out the Indian Summer Festival which happens right across Vancouver from the 6th to the 15th of July in 2017.
The festival is renowned world-wide due to its inclusive nature and bustling atmosphere. It is put together by the not for profit secular arts organisation; The Indian Summer Arts Society (ISAS). The society have a vision and a mission to create a culturally diverse and inclusive society, which is more challenging than ever with the current political landscape. ISAS try to make this dream a reality through a variety of challenging and interesting events for the arts which aim to inspire audiences to take on board the message of inclusivity.
Global citizenship is the key theme which runs through all events, the pinnacle of which is the Indian Summer Festival which started back in 2011 with support from the fantastic creators of Jaipur Literature Festival; Teamwork Arts India, and the SFU Woodward’s Cultural Unit. The festival itself, as you may expect, is comprised of a whole variety of artists (musical, literary, arty) who come from all around Canada, South Asia, and the world!
It really is a spectacular time to take your yachting holiday, as you will not be short of things to do and see, and there is something for all tastes. It isn’t your traditional loud, intense, heavy type festival, instead think of the famous Hay on Wye festival in England. There are DJs yes, but there are also emerging musicians, novelists, sculptors, poets, dancers, thought leaders, and more. The festival also usually has a number of award winners – Oscar, Grammy, Booker, and even the Nobel Prize! It really is an eclectic and magical mix of tastes, cultures, and experiences.
Each day offers something quirky and new, and the full programme will be on the ISAS website soon. Each artist has a voice in the wider community which allows visitors to the festival to get unique insights into different microcultures all around the globe. Festival goers are encouraged to communicate, ask questions, and start to address issues within themselves and think about their communities at home. The festival is an open platform for dialogue on the big issues of the time, but also for expressing emotions which are evoked when contemplating the large problems facing the world. ISAS says:
‘As the world builds more and more walls and as societies get more suspicious and afraid of people who don’t look like them and think like them, we believe in the transformative power of the arts’.
The focus on collaboration is strong, and there is a conscious effort to create ‘good friction’ – that is not settling with a middle ground, but pairing unlikely artists together to produce something magical. Such pairings may include blending traditional with contemporary, international with local, or a clash of genres such as dance DJ and an opera singer. There truly are surprises around every corner.
Such an event provides the perfect day out whilst yachting with us here at Nanaimo. There is something for families, couples, groups – just everyone! Listen to some music, muse over some speeches, hear some beautiful poetry, and watch some pretty amazing performances. Of course, there will be food and drink aplenty, themed and flavoured to fit the festivals unique aura. The festival a great opportunity to stretch your legs and experience something different, and unforgettable on your British Columbian yachting adventure.
In 2016, the festival featured over 100 artists from 24 cities around the world. Over 400,000 people took part in the festival making it the biggest year yet – and ISAS are determined to build on this success further in 2017 which promises to be the most interactive and diverse festival yet. This year’s theme is still unknown, but last year it was ‘Border Crossings’ which veined through all performances. There are various elements of the festival which are free, as well as ticketed events throughout the ten days which means if you are travelling with Nanaimo yacht charter you can plan in advance, or just turn up on the day and still experience the vibes of the Indian Summer Festival.
True to the mantra of the festival, it is accessible to all with 100% mobility access, a community ticketing scheme, extensive free programming, an LGBT+ inclusivity policy, and hearing assistance loops throughout. Keep up to date on the festival through its very own Facebook page, and start planning your Nanaimo yacht charter trip for July 2017 today to ensure you get to enjoy the Vancouver Indian Summer.